The passage describes the Rabies lyssavirus, also known as the rabies virus, as a "monster" that has been haunting humans for at least 4,000 years. The virus is named after Lyssa, the ancient Greek goddess of madness, and is known for its ability to turn animals into "bloodthirsty monsters" and people into "water-shy zombies."
The virus works by invading the body's cells and bypassing the immune system, eventually reaching the brain and causing fatal damage. The immune system tries to fight back, but the virus is able to evade its defenses by hijacking the body's transportation system and preventing the immune cells from recognizing infected cells.
The virus causes a range of symptoms, including hydrophobia (fear of water), aggression, and hallucinations, and can lead to encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and eventually death. There is no known effective therapy for the virus, and hardly anyone has ever survived after the first symptoms appear.
However, a vaccination is available, which prepares the immune system for a possible viral attack and can prevent the virus's "terrible tricks" from working. The vaccination is also effective even after exposure to the virus, making it a crucial tool in the fight against rabies.
Despite the availability of a vaccine, around 60,000 people still die from rabies every year, mostly in developing countries. The passage concludes by emphasizing the importance of vaccination and the need to continue fighting against this "monster" that has haunted humans for thousands of years.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The rabies virus is one of the most dangerous viruses that can infect humans.
2. The virus is named after the ancient Greek goddess Lyssa, who was the goddess of madness.
3. The rabies virus has been haunting humans for at least 4,000 years.
4. The virus can only survive by invading the bodies of mammals and bypassing their defenses.
5. Once symptoms of infection appear, death is almost certain.
6. The virus has five genes, which it uses to infect cells and evade the immune system.
7. The virus can hijack the transportation system within cells to travel to the nucleus and replicate.
8. Neurons are vulnerable to infection because they have a long, thin structure that makes it difficult for the immune system to detect infected cells.
9. The immune system produces interferons, which can help prevent viral infections, but the rabies virus can evade this defense mechanism.
10. The virus can cause infected cells to become "transparent" to the immune system, making it difficult for immune cells to detect them.
11. The virus can also instruct infected cells to produce proteins that can inhibit the immune response.
12. The rabies virus can infect the brain stem and cause a range of symptoms, including hydrophobia (fear of water) and aggression.
13. The virus can also cause the brain to become inflamed, leading to encephalitis.
14. Once symptoms appear, death is almost certain, and there is no known effective therapy.
15. However, vaccination can prevent infection and is effective even after exposure to the virus.
16. Around 60,000 people die from rabies every year, and almost half of them are children.
17. The virus is found in the saliva of infected animals, and transmission can occur through bites.
18. The virus can also be present in the saliva of infected bats, which can be a source of transmission to humans.